Continuous flow tub



May 3, 1932. c CLARKE 1,856,318

CONTINUOUS FLOW TUB Filed July 7, 1930 a comma o o o o o 00000000000 Q 0 D Q U OOQOGOODUUC O O 0 0 0 00900 INVENTOR. 6%a//e6 /2 6/0/7029 ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 3, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFlCE CHARLES R. CLARKE, 0F CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 LEONARD-ROOKIE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND CONTINUOUS FLOW TUB Application filed July 7, 1930. Serial No. 466,122.

Elly present invention relates to continuous flow tubs, and has particular reference to tubs suitable for rigid temperature control.

The art of continuous flow treatment has advanced rapidly in the past ten years, as the soothing and relaxing effect and the advantageous results obtained thereby have become evident. This advance has increased the need for equipment designed to obtain an the colder tub walls. and of eliectively mi located in the back, it becomes iug only when the rate of change of the water is fairly high: when the flow is moderate, the hotter inflowing water enters so grac'lually that it gently rises and comes to the top without thoroughly mixing with the main body of water, and the tub tempera ture is therefore less in the lower portion, where the back of the patient is positioned, than on the surface.

.Since the important nerve centers are all particularly desirable to bring the fresh water against the lack before it contacts with the colder walls of the tub and before it is cooled at the surface. In addition, the incon'iing water should thoroughly mix with the tub water without the formation of local. streams or disturbances. These advantageous features are ol d by my improved tub construction, :cediug the inflowing water to the bottom of the tub, and letting the intlowing er rise in a plurality of minutestreams, thus mixing thoroughly and quietly with the tub water and continually presenting the iti'csh water to the back of the patient. The streams are arranged to permit a thorough dir-persion and a uniform upward flow, with preferably a slight @XC' ss flow at the foot of the tub in the vicinity of the overflow wier, as this region is the coolest.

The use of spaced inlets in the sides of these tubs as heretofore used rendered the obtaining of a true average temperature a dillicult matter, as the temperature varied at the sides, the center, the top and the bot tom of the tub. Thus, a very moderate rate of flow, for example, of two gallons per minute, created a hotter area at the sides and the upper layer, and a colder central and bottom area. The correct reading of the temperature at the region of the patients back was therefore difficult to obtain, and could not be obtained by thermometers placed around the sides or in the tub.

The provision of a longitudinal central inlet well eliminates these diiiiculties, as it becomes feasible to position a long thermometric tube in the well, Where it registers the temperature of the inlet water, which is substantially the temperature of the water at the patients back, as this inflowing water is not cooled by contact with the tub Walls or the surface air before reaching the central tub region. The registered temperature may also be considered as substantially the average tub temperature, as the rising warm water induces a gentle circulation of the tub water through the well and thoroughly equalizes the temperature throughout the tub. The length of the well insures a substantially even well temperature, and the use of a thermometer bulb extending along the well, and supported so as to be fully immersed in the water, ensures a correct reading thereof.

The use of a well inlet permits other advantageous features not obtainable in the present type of flow tubs, as a supplemental flush may be provided for the well. The attendant thus has the usual wier flush, which permits removal of the upper layer of tub water, and the tub and well flush, which permit rapid and effective flushing of the lower layers of the tub water without change in temperature of the tub water. In addition, a by-pass inlet pipe may be provided, if desired, to permt full inlet flow of water at the proper temperature without disturbing the setting of the control valve for normal flow. The quicker change of water, and the quicker filling of the tub by manipulation of these valves, save a considerable amount of time, and thus permit the control of more tubs by the attendant in charge. In addition, the elimination of the usual end slope reduces the tub volume and the amount of water used, without decrease in the effectiveness of the rendered service.

Certain other features of the improved tub construction merit attention. Preferably, the temperature control apparatus and the recording devices are positioned on the wall, the head of the tube being towards the wall. The attendant can therefore control the flush valves and the wier from the foot of the tub, thus flushing the tub without passing to the rear of the patient and disturbing the patient. The location of the flush valves at the foot of the tub also permits closer setting of the tub to the wall.

The improved tub has no projections or edges and therefore facilitates placing the patient in the tub and taking him out, without discommoding the patient or giving a hand hold to him. The inlet openings are formed in a panel with covers the inlet well, and which fits snugly thereover so as to present a smooth inner surface, with no ridges or corners. The usual hammock pins, which project from the sides of the tub and have a tendency to enlarge and tear the corresponding hammock eyes, are preferably dis carded and replaced by key hole openings into which hammock pins are releasably inserted, thus providing a tub with smooth walls and no projections.

The improved construction also possesses marked manufacturing advantages, in that the walls are smooth,- separate inlet spouts are eliminated, and hammock retaining pins are discarded. The formation of a longitudinal well does not increase the manufacturing cost to an appreciable extent.

These and other advantageous features of the improved construction will be readily apparent from the detailed description and illustration of a preferred form of continuous flow tub, and will be pointed out with particularly in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a continuous flow tub, partly broken away, and the control equipment therefor;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tub of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inlet piping and valve arrangement;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the novel locking recess;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a hammock pin locked in a locking recess; and

Fig. 7 is a detail of the hammock pin mounting.

Referring to the drawings, the flow tub 10 may be porcelain, iron enamelled, or all metal. The tub is preferably rectangular in appearance, and is rounded at the interior corners to facilitate cleaning and flushing.

The dimensions found suitable for an average tub of this character are seven feet six inches length, three feet width, and eighteen inches height, but these dimensions may of course be varied as desired to suit individual hospital requirements. The generally rectangular shape is very economical in the amount of water required to give the required treatment.

he tub bottom is preferably formed to provide an inlet well 11, but if desired, the well may be made as a separate piece and attached in any suitable manner to the tub bottom. A cover panel 12, detachably secured to flanges or bosses 13 which are positioned at the sides of the well, as by screws or the like, has its upper face flush with the contiguous tub surface, and is provided with plurality of flow passages 14 for permitting flow of the inlet water from the well to the tub interior. hen using a separate well, particularly in an all metal tub, the panel may be part of the bottom wall itself; but the preferred construction contemplates a removable panel of chromium plated or Monel metal, in order to facilitate drilling the flow openings at the proper direction and spacing, and to permit periodic inspection and cleaning of the inlet well.

One end of the well is provided with an inlet opening, and the other end with an outlet opening. The flow passages 14 are progressively increased in number, towards the outlet, in order to equalize the upfiow throughout the length of the well; the number of flow passages at the outlet end is also slightly increased, in order to compensate for the quicker outward flow of the water over the usual pivoted tub wier 15. If desired, the flow control may be efiected by slightly varying the size of the openings, but 11 the control by spacing is preferred.

As is particularly shown in Figure 3, the flow passages are directed to diverge and ensure an even distribution of the upwardly flowing water. A suitable size for these flow openings is one-thirty second of an inch, but other sizes may be used as desired. There is a tendency to form a local circulation between the tub and the well, particularly if the inlet flow is rapid, thus bringing the slightly colder tub water into the well and more quickly equalizing the tub temperature. If desired, additional rows of flow openings may be provided at the sides of the panel to facilitate such local circulation.

The temperature of the inlet Water to the tub is controlled by a temperature responsive valve which is housed in a control cabinet 16, piping designated generally as 17 in Figure a conducting this water to the inlet well.

This piping has two pa 'allcl branches 18, 19, which join together as illustrated into a single inlet conduit suitably secured within the inlet opening of the inlet well. A manually operated liow control valve 21 is positioned in the branch 19, and is preferably closely rcgulatable to provide the desired treatment iilow. A manually operated full llow valve positioned in the other branch ll-5, and preferably is of the quick open and shut type, to permit full flow of filling and flushing water. A suitable total flow volume is about gallons per minute, and the nor mal treatment iiow is generally from 2 to 3 gallon-.1 per minute. As indicated in Figure 1, the liull liow valve 22 is preferably located near the control cabinet 16, and the treatment lion valve E21 is positioned adjacent the tub so as to be readily accessible to the operator.

A thermometer bulb 2; of the elongated tube type is ositioned in the inlet well, and is preferal, supported above the bottom of the well i any suitable mam or, as by metal saddl in order to prevent contact oi the bulb with the bottom wall of the well. A iieziibl e conduit connects the bulb to the recording instruments in the control cabinet id. The bulb and the inlet open it are preferably side by side, but may be one above the other, if desired.

The tub equipped with an outlet flush coi'ului 26, controlled with a manually operated flush valve 27, and the well is also @(illlppitl with an outlet flush conduit 28, set in the well outlet opening, and controlled by a manually operat d flush valve 29. These alyes are all positioned at the foot of the where they n'iay be manipulated by the operator without passing to the rear of the patient. In certain installations, it is pret'errcd to lead the inlet pipe to the foot of the tub, and then forwardly, in order to position all the contra valves at the foot of the tub.

The tub itself, as will be noted from Figres l. and 52, has no projections, slots, or the like to d commode the patient or to enable l e patient to obtain a hand hold. Instead of the usual pins positioned in the outer wall receive l to he hanin'iock eyes, the tub, if of oorcelain. is 'orn'ied with kev-hole recesses l h 1 u it!) l which l. it blocks 31 preferably made oi. chromium plat al are secured, as by embeiming a :-i n or screw in cement. 1 having a circular nding u" ardly i ich is seemed in i o hammoel; 2-35. 3; shown in Figure plates 3i, p osi- .mock opening, 51. ured to pre attend together. the pin I V a ,;h the aligned openings or. being headed over as at 38 r: n the plates and to lock the plates between the bead 38 and the shoulder 39. This construction eliminates the use of hammock eyes and projecting tub pins and produces a stronger holding, as the strain is carried by the metal plates. A similar construction of lock slots may be used with metal and enamelled tubs.

The operation of the improved tub is now apparent. The flush valves 27, 29 are closed, and the inlet valve opened, thus quickly filling the tub at the maximum rate with water of the desired temperature. The rapid inflow produces a local circulation in the well which equalizcs he temperature, the thermometer bulb recording this tempera ture. The valve 22 is now shut, and the treatment valve 21 is set to give the desired treatment tlow.

T he patient is now placed in the hammock, with his head to the wall, Where he cannot see the control apparatus. The inlet Water 0011- stantly and gently rises from the inlet Well, contacting the back oi the patient and ensuring the desired Water temperature conditions at the nerve center region. The upper layer of water gently wastes through the wier 15, which may be shifted in the usual manner to permit a sudden flushing of the upper layer if it becomes soiled, or the tWo flush valves 27, 29 may be opened to quickly flush the lower layers oi water. Ii the valve 22 is also opened, the water may be quickly passed through the tub, the well, or both, as desired, by means of valves 27 and 29. The inflowing water is always maintained at the proper temperature, and the tub may be rapidly filled by opening the valve 22, the valve 21 remaining at set position. As soon as flushing is completed, valves 27, 29 and 22 are closed, and the treatment flow continues as before.

lVhile I have described a specific tub construction and specific flow controls for the tub, such changes in construction and design as are desirable for individual installations and particular treatments may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a tub suitable for continuous flow treatment, a thermostatic Water valve, piping for leading water from said valve to the tub, said piping including flow branches in parallel, and a control valve in each of said flow branches.

2. A tub construction suitable for continuous flow treatment having an elongated Well adjacent one wall thereof, said elongated well having imperforate side and bottom Walls and end Walls with openings therethrough, and a panel covering said well and having divergently directed spaced openings there through.

3. A tub construction suitable for continuousflow treatment having an elongated well depending from one wall thereof, said elongated well having imperforate side and bottom walls and end walls with openings therethrough, and a panel covering said well and having divergently directed spaced openings therethrough.

4. In a tub construction suitable for continuous flow treatment, and having side, end, and bottom walls, an elongated well in the bottom wall extending longitudinally of the tub and having a water inlet and a discharge outlet, and a panel cover for said well flush with said bottom wall and having openings therethrough communicating said well with the interior of the tub.

5. In a tub construction suitable for continuous flow treatment, and having side, end, and bottom walls, an elongated well in the bottom wall extending lon itudinally of the tub and having a water inlet and a discharge outlet, and a panel cover for said well flush with said bottom wall and having divergently directed openings therethrough communieating said well with the interior of the tub.

6. In a tub construction suitable for continuous flow treatment, and having side, end, and bottom walls, an elongated well in the bottom wall extending longitudinally of the tub and having a water inlet and a discharge outlet, and a removable panel cover for said well flush with said bottom wall and having openings therethrough communicating said well with the interior of the tub.

7. In a tub construction suitable for continuous flow treatment, and having side, end, and bottom walls, an elongated well in the bottom wall extending longitudinally of the tub and having a water inlet and a discharge outlet, and a removable panel cover for said well flush with said bottom wall and having divergently directed openings therethrough communicating said well with the interior 0 the tub.

8. A tub construction suitable for continuous flow treatment having an elongated well adjacent one wall thereof, said elongated well having imperforate side and bottom walls and end walls with openings therethrough, and a panel covering said well and having spaced openings therethrough.

9. A tub construction suitable for continuous flow treatment having an elongated well depending from one wall thereof, said elongated well having imperforate side and bottom walls and end walls with openings therethrough, and a panel covering said well and having spaced openings therethrough for communicating the well with the interior of the tub.

10. In a tub suitable for continuous flow treatment, an elongated inlet well positioned in one wall thereof and having side, bottom, and end walls, one end wall of said well having an inlet opening for water and an opening for the insertion of a thermostatic element.

11. In a tub suitable for continuous flow treatment, an elongated inlet well positioned in one wall thereof and having side, bottom, and end walls, one end wall of said well having an inlet opening for water and an opening for the insertion oi a thermostatic element, and the other end wall having an outlet opening for water.

12. In combination, a tub suitable for con tinuous flow treatment, a thermostatic water valve, piping for leading water from said valve to the tub, said piping including flow branches in parallel, a treatment flow control valve in one of said flow branches, and a flushing flow control valve in the other of said flow branches.

In testimony whereoi I aflix my signature.

CHARLES R. CLARKE. 

